Death of Kings: A Shakespearean Murder Mystery

Rating:
Summary: not bad but not as good as the first book in the series
Review: "Death of Kings" is the second Shakespearean murder mystery featuring the detecting skills of actor Nick Revill, and while the novel is well written, I found it to be a little disappointing as a murder mystery novel, in spite of the odd murder or two thrown in the middle of the book. "Death of Kings" is more a novel of political intrigue than it is a story of murder and mayhem.

It is the early months of 1601, and England is a veritable hotbed of rumours, portents and conspiracy theories. The Queen (Elizabeth I) is getting old, and unfortunately has no direct heir to the throne. Stories are being bruited about that Cecil, the Secretary to the Council, has all but persuaded the Queen to name the Spanish Infanta as her heir. Certainly the Earl of Essex, Robert Deverux, once a favourite of the Queen's, believes this rumour, and has stormed back to London in order to protect the throne (and, he says, the Queen) by mounting an insurrection. The question on everyone's mind is if he is really serious about protecting the Queen from those who would ill advise her, or if his plan is to put himself on the throne? Nick Revill finds himself in the thick of all this political shenanigans, when Cecil commands him to act as his spy.

The Chamberlain's Men, according to Cecil, is about to be commissioned to perform Shakespeare's Richard II by one of Essex's supporters. Not the most propitious of plays to perform right now since it deals with the supplanting of the rightful monarch by a usurper, ostensibly for 'the good of the country.' Nick is told to keep an eye and ear open, and to be on the lookout in particularly for an individual known as Merrick. And so Nick finds himself acting the unenviable role of spy, and watching his own friends and company. Soon however Nick finds himself having a foot in both camps (Cecil's and Essex's) when Shakespeare asks him to deliver a message to the Earl of Southampton on his behalf. This takes Nick deep into Essex's camp, and he is soon taken for an Essex supporter. And he cannot help but wonder how soon it will be before someone discovers that he is a spy. Nick's worst fears are realised when first, he becomes aware of the fact that he is being watched, and then that someone is trying to kill him. But who is after him? Is it a member of Essex's group? Or has Cecil decided that he has outlived his usefulness? Or is there someone else with a more sinister reason to end Nick's life?

I was a little disappointed with this Nick Revill murder mystery. The novel seemed to be chock-full of promising ingredients: there was political intrigue; an unknown murderer(s) stalking our hero; a few well conceived red herrings; two chillingly executed murders; and a host of eccentric and suspicious characters... And yet things fizzled a little for me, mainly because 'sitting on the edge of your seat' feeling was just not there in spite of the attempts on Nick's life. I found myself skimming through many pages of unnecessary political ruminations in order to get at the 'meat' of this particular mystery.

All in all "Death of Kings" is not a bad read -- it's interesting, informative and clever. However I definitely preferred the first Nick Revill murder mystery, "Sleep of Death."

Rating:
Summary: not bad but not as good as the first book in the series
Review: "Death of Kings" is the second Shakespearean murder mystery featuring the detecting skills of actor Nick Revill, and while the novel is well written, I found it to be a little disappointing as a murder mystery novel, in spite of the odd murder or two thrown in the middle of the book. "Death of Kings" is more a novel of political intrigue than it is a story of murder and mayhem.

It is the early months of 1601, and England is a veritable hotbed of rumours, portents and conspiracy theories. The Queen (Elizabeth I) is getting old, and unfortunately has no direct heir to the throne. Stories are being bruited about that Cecil, the Secretary to the Council, has all but persuaded the Queen to name the Spanish Infanta as her heir. Certainly the Earl of Essex, Robert Deverux, once a favourite of the Queen's, believes this rumour, and has stormed back to London in order to protect the throne (and, he says, the Queen) by mounting an insurrection. The question on everyone's mind is if he is really serious about protecting the Queen from those who would ill advise her, or if his plan is to put himself on the throne? Nick Revill finds himself in the thick of all this political shenanigans, when Cecil commands him to act as his spy.

The Chamberlain's Men, according to Cecil, is about to be commissioned to perform Shakespeare's Richard II by one of Essex's supporters. Not the most propitious of plays to perform right now since it deals with the supplanting of the rightful monarch by a usurper, ostensibly for 'the good of the country.' Nick is told to keep an eye and ear open, and to be on the lookout in particularly for an individual known as Merrick. And so Nick finds himself acting the unenviable role of spy, and watching his own friends and company. Soon however Nick finds himself having a foot in both camps (Cecil's and Essex's) when Shakespeare asks him to deliver a message to the Earl of Southampton on his behalf. This takes Nick deep into Essex's camp, and he is soon taken for an Essex supporter. And he cannot help but wonder how soon it will be before someone discovers that he is a spy. Nick's worst fears are realised when first, he becomes aware of the fact that he is being watched, and then that someone is trying to kill him. But who is after him? Is it a member of Essex's group? Or has Cecil decided that he has outlived his usefulness? Or is there someone else with a more sinister reason to end Nick's life?

I was a little disappointed with this Nick Revill murder mystery. The novel seemed to be chock-full of promising ingredients: there was political intrigue; an unknown murderer(s) stalking our hero; a few well conceived red herrings; two chillingly executed murders; and a host of eccentric and suspicious characters... And yet things fizzled a little for me, mainly because 'sitting on the edge of your seat' feeling was just not there in spite of the attempts on Nick's life. I found myself skimming through many pages of unnecessary political ruminations in order to get at the 'meat' of this particular mystery.

All in all "Death of Kings" is not a bad read -- it's interesting, informative and clever. However I definitely preferred the first Nick Revill murder mystery, "Sleep of Death."